The activity room at Starr Farm Nursing Home in Burlington was filled with at least a dozen people watching the pope's ceremonial goodbye at the Vatican, including Lucienne Pare, 96, a devout Roman Catholic. who has followed Pope Benedict XVI through his career.

She was shocked when he announced his retirement.

Pare was very emotional when the pope's helicopter took off. She said that was very symbolic because she feel Benedict XVI is now "going to God" and she thinks this departure is more than a final goodbye.

"He's important. I'm going to pray for him now. From now on, I'm going to pray for him every day," Pare said, choking up.

Other Vermont Catholics are happy the pope is stepping down.

"The poor pope. He needs a rest. He feels he can't do the job anymore and he's doing the right thing," said David Erkson, a resident at St. Joseph's, an assisted care home sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington.

Meanwhile, we asked a local church leader, retired Monsignor Wendell Searless who he thinks might be the next pope. He found that a little funny.

"Everybody thinks that we all know who the candidates are, that we all know something of the electors. We don't know anything," said Searles, laughing.

The Monsignor said he has great respect for the pope and called him one of the greatest teachers of all time in the Catholic Church.